Abbey Road

I’ve always thought the system we use in the U.S. to nominate a president was a train wreck.

Back in 2000, the Democrats were angry, beyond angry actually, that Al Gore lost the election because of the disenfranchisement of voters - especially African American voters - in Florida. The hanging chad was nothing compared to people incensed that their votes didn’t seem to count.

Tomorrow’s the big day in Florida again and in eight years, we seem to have learned nothing. Disenfranchised doesn’t begin to explain the severity of the problem. In fact, the problem of people getting their voices heard has gotten worse since 2000.

Thanks to some tactical snafu on the part of the Democrats being pissed off at states wanting some say over their own primaries, the Dems decided not to run a primary in Florida or Michigan. I’d really like someone to explain to me how that helps the Democratic party, except perhaps for Hillary Clinton.

In Michigan, none of the Dems were on the ballot, preferring to simply operate according to party guidelines rather than argue about them. Except for Hillary of course.

Mrs. Clinton managed to get her name on the ballot in Michigan and then strutted her stuff telling everyone she’d won there a few weeks ago although almost no one seemed to care that she had no competition.

Now she’s on the ballot in Florida I hear. Running against whom? And tell me again which Clinton is on the ballot? I’m still not sure which one is running.

Technorati tags: Florida primary, Michigan Primary, Democratic Party, voter disenfranchisement, Hillary Clinton, president of the united states